The day before President Lincoln issued his proclamation of thanksgiving for the Confederate defeat at Knoxville, Union Gen. Ambrose Burnside congratulated his troops on their steadfast performance:

“The Army of the Ohio has nobly guarded the loyal region it redeemed from its oppressors, and rendered the heroic defense of Knoxville memorable in the annals of War.”

The troops can’t have been pleased, however, when they discovered that while they were on reduced rations throughout the Rebel siege, Burnside and his fellow commanders were living high-on-the-hog at his Crozier House headquarters.